The Fly Fishing Forum - The Best Fly Fishing News and Information focused on North America: Louisiana re-opens most state waters to recreational fishing
Louisiana re-opens most state waters to recreational fishing
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American Sportfishing Association on 16/07/2010 15:16:00
Alexandria, VA - July 15, 2010 - In a move lauded by the sportfishing industry,
on July 14, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced that 86
percent of state marine waters are now open to recreational fishing. Louisiana's
state coastal waters had been closed because of the BP oil spill. The small
percentage of waters that are still closed can be viewed at
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/?id=1907.
"The decision by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to reopen most
of the state's waters to recreational fishing demonstrates that there is an
abundance of fishing opportunity still available in the Gulf of Mexico," said
American Sportfishing Association Vice President Gordon Robertson. "While the
oil spill has had a direct effect on some areas, tremendous recreational fishing
is available in nearly all waters in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida
and Texas, and in the majority of federal waters offshore."
On June 24, the Alabama Department of Conservation announced that catch and
release fishing is allowed in state marine waters. Nearly all of Florida's Gulf
waters are open to fishing, and Texas waters have not been impacted. While
fishing is closed in the Mississippi Sound off of Mississippi, ample fishing
opportunities are available in many of the state's bays and other inland waters.
Approximately two-thirds of the federal waters beyond three miles offshore
remain open to fishing.
"As someone who has heard about and seen first-hand the abundance of quality
catches being landed by anglers, I encourage everyone to come check out the
excellent fishing that's available," noted Dave Cresson, Coastal Conservation
Association of Louisiana's Executive Director and CEO. "The commission's action
will encourage anglers and their families to head to the coast and should give a
real boost to the bait and tackle shops and other recreational fishing dependent
businesses in Louisiana and the entire Gulf.
"Our message to anyone who enjoys fishing in the Gulf region is simple: go
fishing," concluded Robertson.
As of today, BP says oil has stopped leaking into the Gulf for the first time
since April. BP has been slowly dialing down the flow as part of a test on a new
cap. Engineers are now monitoring the pressure to see if the broken well holds.